Whether it’s the first ever Ding How on Colon Street in 1969, the institutional Ding Qua Qua on Mango Avenue for Generation X or Y, or Harbour City and Dimsum Break when the big malls opened during the turn of the millennium, there is a Harbour City Group brand that evokes fond memories for every generation.
This year, the group marks its golden anniversary, 50 years since they introduced dimsum cuisine in Cebu. It started with Mr. Henry Uytengsu and now passed on to the third generation of the family, much like how Cebu’s love for dimsum has been passed on from one generation of diners to the next.
“My father Henry loved Chinese food and he loved to share his passion with everyone else,” recalls Harbour City Group director Lorraine Uytengsu-Calisang. “A single branch led to another, and then another, and now we have a whole stable of restaurant brands all serving traditional, authentic, and time-honored family recipes.”
In celebration of its 50th anniversary, the Harbour City Group is holding a series of events to pay tribute to their heritage, give thanks to generations of Cebuanos who have patronized their dishes, and to move full steam ahead towards the future. These are headlined by an Interactive 50th Year Exhibit, which traces the group’s history from its humble beginnings in 1969 to its growth and development in the 21st century.